Bound by Shadows

Valentina~

I had been trapped for less than a day, and I was already losing my mind.

The walls of my so-called "room" were suffocating—high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, a massive bed draped in silk sheets. It was luxurious, too luxurious. Like a carefully designed illusion meant to make me forget that I was nothing more than a prisoner.

But I wasn't fooled.

Dante Ricci hadn't locked me in a cell because he didn't need to.

His message was clear: there was no escape.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my fists clenched in my lap, my body still weak from whatever he had drugged me with. But my mind? Sharp. Calculating.

I would not stay here.

I would not be his.

I moved cautiously to the window, pressing my palms against the glass. No locks. No bars. But as I looked down, my stomach dropped.

The mansion sat on a vast estate, surrounded by endless land. The balcony below my window led to a courtyard, but guards patrolled the perimeter, guns strapped to their sides. Beyond that? A towering iron gate.

My hands curled into fists. He really thought he had me trapped.

He was wrong.

I would get out.

Even if I had to fight him for it.

Time Skip Nightfall.

I had spent the day memorizing my surroundings, searching for weaknesses. The guards changed shifts every four hours. The hallway outside my room was always occupied, but Dante hadn't assigned them inside my room.

His mistake.

I waited until the estate was cloaked in silence, then made my move.

Moving quickly, I stripped the silk sheet from the bed, twisting it into a makeshift rope. It wasn't perfect, but it would do.

Tying one end to the heavy bedpost, I threw the rest over the balcony railing.

This is it.

My heart pounded as I climbed over the edge, my bare feet pressing against the stone. One wrong move and I'd plummet three stories.

I took a breath.

Then I began my descent.

The fabric burned against my palms as I lowered myself carefully. Inch by inch.

Almost there.

Just a little more—

The sound of a gun cocking froze me midair.

"Going somewhere, princess?"

No. No, no, no.

I turned my head slowly, my stomach twisting violently.

Dante stood below, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. The moonlight cast sharp shadows over his face, making him look even more terrifying than usual.

And in his hand? A gun.

I swallowed hard, my grip tightening on the silk rope. "Move."

He chuckled. "Or what? You'll climb back up?"

Rage burned through me.

I had been so close.

"I swear to God, Dante—"

"Swearing won't save you, piccola." His smirk faded. "Come down. Now."

I hesitated.

Then, without another word, I let go.

The wind rushed past me as I fell the last few feet, landing with a sharp jolt. Pain shot through my ankles, but I forced myself to stand, ignoring the way my body screamed in protest.

I spun to run—

But he was faster.

One second, I was free. The next, I was slammed against the cold stone wall, Dante's body pressing into mine, his grip bruising.

"You really thought you could escape?" His breath was warm against my ear, but his voice was anything but. Cold. Unforgiving. Laced with dark amusement.

My pulse pounded. "You don't own me."

He leaned in, his fingers trailing down my arm. "I do now."

I snapped.

Lifting my knee, I aimed for the most vulnerable part of him—

But he moved faster, catching my leg, twisting me effortlessly until my back was pressed against his chest, his arm wrapped around my waist.

A growl rumbled from his throat. A warning. A threat.

My breathing was ragged, my entire body tense. I hated him.

But the worst part?

I could feel his heartbeat against my back. Steady. Unshaken.

Like this was a game to him.

Like I was already his.

His lips brushed my ear, his voice dark and unforgiving.

"You try to run again, Valentina, and I will chain you to my bed."

A shiver ran down my spine.

Not from fear.

But from something far, far more dangerous.

To Be Continued...

*Damn those nicknames he uses are driving us insane and his hand placement. Interesting.*